CRISIS RESPONSE

COMMUNITY CRISIS FUND

IN RESPONSE TO THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 IN OUR REGION

United Way and Rochester Area Community Foundation have partnered on a centralized funding pool to rapidly deploy flexible resources to nonprofits that are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the economic consequences of the outbreak, community and organizational recovery, and future community emergencies.

PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY CRISIS FUND

$1,700,318 HAS BEEN GRANTED FROM THE FUND AS OF MAY 22 AT 2PM

Your donation will help us to rapidly deploy resources in the immediate areas of health, human services, food, and support for frontline responders.

The first phase of funding will be used to meet the immediate needs of front line human services organizations that have strong experience serving low-income and vulnerable residents. They will address the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and the immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations caused by COVID-19 related closures (food, shelter, clothing, childcare, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, etc.). The Fund will support nonprofits that are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, provide community and organizational recovery, and future community emergencies.

TO APPLY FOR COMMUNITY CRISIS FUND GRANTS

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basisfor nonprofits with urgent financial needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant applications will be available through Mighty Networks, a platform we are utilizing to increase connectivity, provide strategic guidance and coordinate supports for local human service agencies that are dealing with increased needs and operational challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you have NOT already joined our Human Service Support Hub, please email covidresponse@uwrochester.org to be added. You will then be emailed access to Mighty Networks. Through this platform you will also be able to be connect to other nonprofits and find additional resources and support.

Nonprofits requesting funds for direct payments TO INDIVIDUALS or general operating expenses will not be considered. Priority will be given to vulnerable populations and those not served by other federal, state and local resources. Funding is currently reserved for immediate crisis situations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic that align with an organization’s current programs and services. Requests for support will be ranked based on immediacy of need, severity of the impact on residents and resources available; therefore not all requests will be funded at this time.

United Way of Greater Rochester will administer grants from the Fund in partnership with Rochester Area Community Foundation and in close collaboration with our partners. Together we will proactively identify potential grant recipients, solicit guidance on potential recipients from community advisors, and recommend final awards.

Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs in subsequent funding phases.

QUESTIONS

Donations can be made online using this link or text CRISISFUND to 41444 to donate.

If you would like to make a donation by check, please mail to: United Way of Greater Rochester, 75 College Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607.

Nonprofits with questions about the Community Crisis Fund, please contact Jen Cathy at jennifer.cathy@uwrochester.org with general questions & inquiries about the Community Crisis Fund

FAQ

I AM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID-19. CAN THIS FUND HELP ME?

We understand many individuals and families have been affected by the outbreak already and more will continue to be affected. We are working to move resources to community-based organizations that are directly supporting local residents and families who are most affected by emerging health, economic, and social impacts.

While the Fund is not able to provide grants to individuals, it is funding community-based organizations that have experience and history of providing people and families with services and support. As we begin to award grants, we will post them here. If you are looking for resources now, please contact our partners at 2-1-1 or your county's Department of Social Services.

MY ORGANIZATION IS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR GRANT RESOURCES FROM THIS FUND. CAN WE BE CONSIDERED?

The Community Crisis Fund is for qualified 501c3 organizations, including 501c3 faith-based organizations who 1) do not proselytize and 2) do not require confession of faith to access services. We understand the COVID-19 outbreak is impacting nonprofits in many ways, including increased demand for their services as well as other challenges. We are working closely with our partners to ensure that the grants awarded meet the greatest needs in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Grant applications will be available through Mighty Networks, a platform we are utilizing to increase connectivity, provide strategic guidance and coordinate supports for local human service agencies that are dealing with increased needs and operational challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you have NOT already joined our Human Service Support Hub, please email covidresponse@uwrochester.org to be added. You will then be emailed access to Mighty Networks.

IS THERE A GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF FOCUS FOR THE FUND?

The Community Crisis Fund will prioritize community-based organizations serving the Greater Rochester area. The Fund will support needs throughout Monroe County and eight surrounding counties – Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates – as funding allows.

WHAT TYPE OF FUNDING WILL BE AVAILABLE?

We anticipate multiple phases of funding to address both the acute needs from the outbreak and the longer-term impacts of recovery.

In this first phase, coping and responding to the pandemic, we are prioritizing community-based organizations that will serve communities and individuals who are immediately and disproportionately suffering from this crisis. We cannot fund direct payments to individuals, but rather are funding those organizations who provide basic needs support directly to people, specifically in response to the outbreak.

We recognize that most organizations are likely to face significant fiscal challenges for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to canceled events or programs, illness of staff, and/or increased demand for services. As the crisis and long-term impacts continue to unfold, we will continue to work with our partners to assess and evolve our funding strategies for operational support, and updates will be posted here.

HOW WILL I FIND OUT IF MY ORGANIZATION WILL RECEIVE FUNDS?

You will be notified by a staff member from the United Way of Greater Rochester or Rochester Area Community Foundation. Please ensure you enter appropriate contact information in the application.

WHEN AND HOW WILL I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?

Funds will be distributed via electronic transfer only (checks are not possible at this time). If necessary, we will ask you to provide additional fiscal information in order to process funds.

WILL I NEED TO REPORT ON ANYTHING?

We will require a brief report within six months of funding. Details will follow should you be selected.

WHEN WILL YOU SHARE WHO YOU FUND?

We anticipate making a first round of investments in the coming weeks and will publish the list of selected grantees on this page.

ARE THESE FUNDS PART OF THE ANNUAL UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN?

Funds donated to the Community Crisis Fund will not be utilized towards the annual United Way campaign.